Monday, May 23, 2011

This appointment allows the Governor to score multiple points. First, the citizens of Miami-Dade County and the members of the local Bar have a new trial judge who will continue to elevate the quality of the Bench. Second, they still have Ace Traffic Attorney Richard Hersch to retain for all of their criminal law issues.

N.B.: We think with a few more years trying, that eventually Ace will be appointed, if he does not wish to run for election, what with his compassionate quotes. Heck, he just looks like a judge, doesn't he?

Friday, May 20, 2011

This is a great cause and a great night and Wynwood is the hippest place, bar none, including the Meat Packing District (of old) or anywhere in Seattle or San Francisco.

The title of the post links to Educate Tomorrow's site.

Buy a ticket.

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I invite you to join me in showing your support for Educate Tomorrow at their 8th Annual Wine Tasting & Silent Auction on Thursday, June 2, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Bakehouse Art Complex in the Wynwood District.

Your attendance or sponsorship will help Educate Tomorrow serve disadvantaged young adults transitioning out of the foster care system to further their education.

I would personally appreciate any support you can provide and hope to see you you at the Wine Tasting. Tickets are $75 and available for purchase online at www.EducateTomorrow.org

Thursday, May 19, 2011

As Pacenti reports, the Senate placed Kathy Williams nomination on its "consent calendar."

Whatever that means.

Senator Nelson's office offers this wisdom: "Williams’ confirmation is imminent as long as there are no objections."

No shit, Sherlock. Ya' think?

Man, despite her veneer of unflappability, this has to be difficult on Kathy. And it underscores again that politics prevents good people from putting their lives on hold to seek appointment to the Bench or some other important position.

Fortunately for the Southern District, Kathy is tough as nails and has the mettle to wait this out.

UPDATE:

YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN?

Check out this NY Times article on Senate Republicans blocking a vote on the nomination of Goodwin Liu to the Ninth Ciruit. Apparently, all because Liu spoke out against Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court. Such petty partisanship. But, this is the way the "game" is played in Washington.

Senator Jefferson Beauregard (I shit you not) Sessions, III, Republican of Alabama, said we don't need any slant-eyes on our courts, especially in California. Don't you remember Pearl Harbor? That's close to California! It would be an insult to put one of them on the court out there! “This nominee, I believe, represents an extraordinary circumstance. His record reveals that he believes the Constitution is a fluid, evolving document with no fixed meaning.”

Beauregard can hold a grudge. Remember 1986, when Ronnie nominated him to the District Court for the Southern District of Alabama? He didn't make it because FOUR of the assistants working under him when he was the US Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama testified that he made rascist comments to them.

Don't believe me?

One of those lawyers, J. Gerald Hebert, testified that Sessions had referred to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as "un-American" and "Communist-inspired" because they "forced civil rights down the throats of people."

Thomas Figures, a black Assistant U.S. Attorney, testified that Sessions said he thought the Klan was "OK until I found out they smoked pot." Sessions also called Mr. Figures "boy" and told him to be careful what he said to white folks. In his defense, little Jeffy said that "his remarks were taken out of context or meant in jest." Really, you in-bred, backwater rascist weasel? HAHAHAHA just kidding! That's a joke, Beau! Please don't take it out of context!

This guy would call Jeff Sessions a dipshit. I am not calling Jeff Sessions a dipshit. Nor would I ever call Jeff Session a dipshit. I think that calling Jeff Sessions a dipshit, would be inappropriate.

He's just an angry little man, who has become more sophisticated in plying his anti-American obstructionism and zealot agenda.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Obviously the Chief will do well and we wish him well. If we may, here are a few tips to insure your instant success upon your return to practice.

Heck, the Chief already has the newest buzz phrases down pat. Check out this quote from the DBR:

“Number one, it’s a firm that has a need. Number two, it’s a good fit for me. It’s an opportunity for me to carry on some of what I’ve done in the courthouse to see that best practices are used. They instituted a best-practices policy, and I’m going to make sure that is followed and make sure we do everything right,” he said

Well, that and his associate LaSonya K. Lacey, who is plastered all over his website.

Except I wonder if his clients have seen this quote from Richie in today's Herald.

Defense lawyer Richard Hersch called Miami-Dade’s new DUI Diversion program a “good thing.”

“The vast majority of first DUIs are people who make stupid mistakes. Turning them into criminals doesn’t make any sense. A good number of them are going to get off because an officer doesn’t show, and evidence falls apart. What happens to those people? They’re not on the radar, and they’re not going to get treatment,” Hersh said.

Hmm.

So maybe the quote on Richard Hersch's website should be changed to read:

"They Have to Get Through Us, Before They Get To You! Unless They Ask Us Nicely! Or Unless I Think You Made a Stupid Mistake! Or Unless I Think You Need to Be a Criminal! Or Unless I Think You Need to be "On the Radar." Or unless I want to help the prosecution because its not fair to them that their evidence is "falling apart." Or Unless I Think You Need Treatment!"

You know, I am not a criminal attorney, so when I hear the term "get off" it conjures certain images. But I have never heard criminal defense lawyers use the phrase "get off on a technicality." Usually they corner me at the bar, pour tequila and invade my space while passionately talking about concepts I remember from law school, like "constitutional guarantees," "burden of proof", and "reasonable doubt."

The JNC might want reconciliation of Mr. Hersch's Oath of Attorney and his desire to be appointed to the bench.